In the wide world, 2021 was filled with stories about a virus and various other ills, but there was also plenty of noteworthy items (for better or worse) in the heavy metal realm. BraveWords recaps the top 66 news stories of 2021 that go from highs to lows to the weird and the strange.

The top stories were compiled based on the amount of views, not on story importance.

40) BLACK SABBATH Drum Legend BILL WARD - "QUIET RIOT Choosing JOHNNY KELLY As Their Drummer Is An Excellent Choice"

Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward gave his stamp approval for the hiring of Johnny Kelly as the new Quiet Riot sticksman in October. Ward said, "The idea of Johnny Kelly playing in Quiet Riot, after some thought, seems fitting. It’s regretful that Frankie Banali has passed; Frankie’s expertise and power cannot be replaced.  I think if Quiet Riot are to resume, then choosing Johnny Kelly as their drummer is an excellent choice.”

Read more here.

39) KISS - Video Of New Year's Eve Livestream Show From Dubai Including Fireworks Finale Available

KISS rang in 2021 with their huge New Year’s event concert in Dubai, culminating in a record breaking fireworks display. Footage of the concert surfaced on YouTube, earning a lot of eyes to see what all the hubbub was all about.

See it here.

38) TONY IOMMI On ROBERT FRIPP & TOYAH's Cover Of BLACK SABBATH Classic "Paranoid" - "I Think This Lockdown Has Drove Them Mental"

One of the strangest occurrences throughout 2021 were the strange covers of classic songs from King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and his wife and singer Toyah Willcox. The duo covered the legendary Black Sabbath song “Paranoid”, to which Sabbath legend Tony Iommi remarked that the couple had “gone mad.” 

Check out more here.

37) KISS' GENE SIMMONS On Former End Of The Road Tour Opener DAVID LEE ROTH - "He Took Being A Frontman Way Beyond Anything. And Then, I Don’t Know What Happened To Him… Something"

There has been much KISS on this list so far and in another one featuring Gene Simmons, the Demon couldn’t help but open his mouth on David Lee Roth, who was removed as tour opener on KISS’ The End Of The Road Tour. 

Simmons stated: “But it bears noting that during Dave’s heyday, nobody did what he did. He was the ultimate frontman. Not Plant, not Rod Stewart, nobody. He took being a frontman way beyond anything. And then, I don’t know what happened to him… something. And you get modern-day Dave.”

Read the rest here.

36) LOVERBOY Singer MIKE RENO Reveals How Singing The Wrong Lyrics For "Working For The Weekend" Made The Song An 80s Classic; Video

The Professor Of Rock examined how the wrong lyrics made Loverboy’s “Working For The Weekend” an ‘80s classic in early December. Reno regales the story about the song and lyrics in a fascinating tale.

See it here.

35) DEF LEPPARD Guitarist PHIL COLLEN On EDDIE VAN HALEN - "He Was The Most Important Rock Player After JIMI HENDRIX"

Speaking to Music Radar, Def Leppard’s Phil Collen was asked about the influence and genius of the great Eddie Van Halen.

Collen said, “I have to say he was the most important rock player after Jimi Hendrix, who was the first real guitarist. Everyone at the time had this sound in their head but they couldn’t really do it. Jimi could, and very naturally. I still don’t think anyone’s come close to Hendrix ever since.  But Eddie has to come next, he changed guitar in a similar way.”

Read it here.

34) ROBERT FRIPP & TOYAH Cover ALICE COOPER Classic "Poison"; Video

Back into the bizarre, King Crimon’s Robert Fripp and his wife Toyah Wilcox took on Alice Cooper’s “Poison” to which Toyah captioned the video: “It’s Poison running through your veins…Nothing more to say!” Sometimes words just don’t have the proper description for musical developments of this magnitude.

Check it out here.

33) DEE SNIDER Recalls TWISTED SISTER Supporting IRON MAIDEN On Powerslave Tour - "That's When Tours Were Tours, And Men Were Men"; Audio

The verbose Dee Snider was asked to reminisce by Metalgodzradio on playing with Iron Maiden on the Powerslave Tour at the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California.

Snider remarked, "That's when tours were tours and men were men okay. There was no hair metal, it was just metal you know. In 84, when we toured with Maiden, it had not been branded hair metal you know, so Mötley Crüe toured with Ozzy and that tour was one of the great tours.”

Read the rest here.

32) BACHMAN CUMMINGS The Collection Available In October; Definitive Box Set Features The Best Of THE GUESS WHO, BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE, And BURTON CUMMINGS

An expansive collection of the works from Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings was announced in July for an October release date. The set held works from their work in The Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and Burton Cummings. An enticing treat for any fan – the set is available as 7CDs or 7LPs. 

Check out more here.

31) ICED EARTH, DEMONS & WIZARDS Removed From Century Media's Official Roster, Merch Store

Due to Jon Schaffer’s involvement in the January 6, 2021 events at the U.S. Capitol building, his label Century Media scrubbed all traces of his bands Iced Earth and Demons & Wizards. 

See the rest here.